High school boy makes internet "promposal" to latest Hollywood super-starlet and because of a recent embarrassing break-up in her private life, she accepts it to get publicity. This sounded like it was going to be lame and unappealing with few interesting possibilities. And the opening scene didn't help. The break-up was loud and very public occurring on the red carpet for some event. Right away it looked like two things were going to be true of this movie. I expected bad acting all the way through based on the acting in the break-up. And I expected the starlet to be arrogant and obnoxious. The latter was only partially true. At times she was all about me, me, me as she took over the prom decorations. At other times, she was open and vulnerable as she got to know Mr. Walsh. She does seem to care about the people around her at the local high school. The other characters are appealing (except for the obvious villain). This is the third time I've seen Bailee Madison recently. The adorable but sometimes incorrigible kid has grown up into a nice young lady. The final outcome of the story was pretty obvious from early on, but I will let you guess as you watch. There are a few interesting scenes and developments to keep the story moving.
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Jackbv12324 January 2017
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bmiller5923 March 2020The first 45 minutes was difficult, and we were ready to turn it off, but it then got marginally better and we watched it to the end. Guess I'm used to more mature movies from Hallmark so this one didn't grab us.
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TheLittleSongbird19 November 2022My main reason for seeing 'Date with Love' was Andrew Walker. He is to me one of the best and most consistent Hallmark regulars and it is not hard to see why he is so popular, he has been in some misfires and has had leading ladies not up to his level but he has also been in good films and had good female leads. Also did like the premise quite a bit, which was cute, and Bailee Maddison is always watchable. The mixed reviews here dampened expectations a little though.
'Date with Love' left me with very mixed feelings and it was a rather uneven film, with a first half an hour that makes one want to bail but it does get quite a bit better. It is not one of the worst 2016 Hallmark films, not like 'Unleashing Mr Darcy' or 'Ms Matched' for example, but it is not one of the best like 'Love in Paradise' and 'Summer Villa' again for example. 'Date with Love' is watchable, but in my mind only for a one time watch rather than holding up to repeat viewings.
Walker is the best thing about it, he is subtly charismatic and charming with natural and witty comic timing. Maddison is perky and seemed to be having fun too. Shenae Grimes-Beech did have charming moments when she eased into the role. The chemistry between the three leads doesn't come over as stiff or distant, it was like they enjoyed working together.
The production values are lovely, the photography and scenery being easy on the eye. The second half on the whole was amusing and cute with a nice energy. Some of the soundtrack is pleasant.
However, there are things that work against it. The first act is pretty painful, am another person who thought it too farcical which went beyond the limit of overdone-ness. The dialogue is often very cheesy and stilted early on and the pace doesn't have the same energy the second half had. The film on the whole is formulaic and contains little original or fresh, things mapping out pretty much what one expects.
Also found the ending rather rushed and abrupt. Grimes-Beech did take a while to relax, with her looking rather uncomfortable and over compensating in the first act. The worst performance comes from Millie Wilkinson, who has an annoying character and really overdoes the brattiness.
Concluding, watchable but very average. 5/10. -
atlasmb30 September 2020A tribute to the films of John Hughes, "Date with Love" is loosely based on his film "Some Kind of Wonderful". Unfortunately, it does not live up to that 1987 teen classic. Especially in the early going, the writing is uninspired and the acting is average.
But I must admit that the lead actress, Shenae Grimes-Beech, who plays Hollywood actress Alex Allen, grew on me. In the end, she gives a charming performance as the star who accepts a proposal to a high school prom as a publicity stunt. Also notable are Milli Wilkinson as Devyn, younger sister of high school student David, and Bailee Madison as Heidi Watts, the best friend of David.
While the parallels of this film to "Some Kind of Wonderful" kept me entertained, that novelty did not elevate this TV movie. Also, a lack of chemistry between the two pairs of love interests dampened the film's appeal. -
MichaelByTheSea23 November 2022I was reminded of this movie when I watched a new movie with Shenae Grimes-Beech called When I Think About Christmas. It was her first Hallmark movie in the 6 years since Date With Love which I remembered with some fondness. In this earlier movie, she plays Alex Allen, a famous movie star who needs some good publicity. She accepts a student's request that she be his high school prom date as a publicity stunt. Sadly, the student who proposed wasn't very popular and was blind to the feelings of his best friend Heidi, played by the very cute and talented Bailee Madison. Andrew Walker plays his teacher Vincent Walsh and Andrea Brooks plays assistant Paige Sumner
I enjoyed this movie because of Shenae Grimes-Beech. And Andrew Walker went on to become one of Hallmark's biggest stars. These stories are basically a variation of the popular trope of a Royal falling in love with a commoner. This was fun, even if the prom kid got on my nerves a bit. -
jml198823 February 2022While I enjoyed the plot of the movie, it felt oddly rushed, and the ending was quite sudden without much clear closure as to where the characters' futures were heading.
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SnoopyStyle15 July 2018High school senior David Rogers (Quinn Lord) has asked every girl in school to be his prom date except his best friend since the first grade, Heidi Watts (Bailee Madison). Of course, the only girl left to ask is Hollywood starlet Alex Allen (Shenae Grimes-Beech). Alex has recently been dumped by her boyfriend on the red carpet. Her publicist best friend Paige Sumner suggests doing some PR repair by accepting the kid's invitation. The media circus descends on the suburban neighborhood. Alex goes on the run and she falls for driver's ed teacher Mr. Walsh (Andrew W. Walker) after almost getting run over. He doesn't know who she is.
This Hallmark Channel romance is the lightest of rom-com. This is strictly a made-for-TV affair. The adult romance is weak. She's a Hollywood brat and he's bland. Neither are compelling and they probably deserve each other. I don't know why she shows up in class other than to engage in banter with Mr. Walsh and the story needs stirring. It's all rather sloppily and formulaically written. It's very manufactured. The pairing doesn't actually have any hurdles. It's not like it's a real date with David. Her best PR move is to bring David and Heidi together while having a fun time with the teacher. That's where the hijinx can happen. David is clueless and the mean girl can get in the middle. The kiddie romance has one good move which is telegraphed from the very beginning. It provides the only good acting pairing between Shenae and Bailee. The kids should be the stars of the movie but it insists on staying with the adults with their manufactured problems. I don't know why she's putting up decorations. The premise has potential but it goes down the wrong path. -
phd_travel23 November 2016Promposals - where a teen asks a celebrity to prom is the subject of this pretty good Hallmark romance. It's happened in real life if you google it. Here a teen who can't get a date asks an actress to prom. She accepts for the PR but falls in love with an English teacher in the school. The situation is quite cute to watch and not annoying.
The cast is likable and nice to look at. Bailee Madison has grown quite tall and she is the true love of the boy who can't get the date. Shanae Grimes plays the starlet and she looks pretty here. This is one role she is quite suited to. She has been in some sub par Hallmark and Lifetime movies recently but here she is a convincing young starlet. Andrew Walker plays the English teacher. They have some chemistry.
Of course there is a slight misunderstanding before the inevitable romantic ending.
Worth one watch. -
dianamarinelli14 April 2021Not bad typical hallmark movie but with a promposal which is cute but it was predictable she ending up with the guy but it's still a watchable movie.
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linda-plant22 February 2019Like another reviewer commented, I found the opening scenes too farcical and stretched the imagination, but the following story wasn't that bad. Andrew J Walker at least keeps the acting on track.
I felt the little sister Devyn - played by Millie Wilkinson, was a surplus and not very nice character, and being so young why was she allowed to be a spare part on a date, instead of being at home with her Dad and Mum ? I also find the little girls wide eyes a little concerning. -
toncincin5 February 2020Just rewatched this movie. I've seen it a few times - so I know the story. This time watching it, I am picking up the 80s "hidden" references - and even the music used has that "80s sound." It's a cute movie - a little forced at the beginning - but that overcome. The younger sister - well we can do without her. She's not essential to the story - and even detracts from it. Love how the two kids get together. The ending is sweet. Watch it with an open mind - and embrace the 80s decade of movies and music.
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fldizfan17 September 2017As this movie begins and several times throughout, we get a close up of the name of the high school that these kids attend. J.W. Hughes High School, conveniently located in Evanston, IL. Okay 80's kids, have we put the pieces together yet? Not yet, how about this, there is David who wants to take "popular girl" Courtney to prom and gets shot down. After being shot down he decides to invite a celebrity as his prom date via a "promposal" that brings to mind Ferris. He ends up going to the prom with his best friend and tomboy, since grade school, Heidi (a.k.a Watts). You all remember Watts the tomboy from Some Kind of Wonderful whose best friend Keith wants a date with popular girl Amanda Jones. Wasn't that a John Walden Hughes movie around 1987? I guess the writers were hoping that 30 years would be long enough for us to forget, as if! Anyways, it is a cute, predictable as always Hallmark movie to veg out watching on a lazy afternoon. Also, a nice homage to one of the greatest of all times, John Hughes!
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geohv-677966 February 2020This is a poorly to mediocre acted movie with great life lessons on the reality of how shallow society is. Our children should watch this knowing how real this is of the ways of the world.
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ava7924 April 2020Cliché is one thing but it doesn't have to be so boring.
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greenbayrios11 May 2020Andrew walker tried to carry the rest of this cast but every single one them was worse then the next. The kids acting is painful to watch. The assistant is a evil horrible human. The lead actress always playing the victim but is selfish, rude. You have it your best effort Mr. Walker but the only thing that could have saved this movie was to fire everyone but you and hire talented actors/actresses